Growing plan? What to put in place before an audit is required

by JoAnn Cassell | Sep 15, 2026 | 401k Plan Audit Documentation, Preparing for a 401(k) audit

Nobody schedules their first 401(k) audit. It arrives. Growth is gradual. You hire a few people. Then a few more. Auto-enrollment nudges your participation rate up. Employees leave, and their balances stay behind. Nobody wakes up one morning and announces, “We...

Before You Send Your Census to Your 401(k) Plan Auditor: A Pre-Testing Checklist

by JoAnn Cassell | Feb 15, 2026 | 401k Communication, Preparing for a 401(k) audit, Record Retention

Census data… I know, exciting! But seriously, before you hit “send” on your employee census to your third-party administrator (TPA) or auditor for testing, double-check the details. An accurate census is the foundation of your 401(k) plan audit, leading to reliable...

Time-saving tips from the other side of the 401(k) audit: a plan sponsor’s perspective

by JoAnn Cassell | Dec 15, 2025 | 401k Audit Time, Preparing for a 401(k) audit

If you’ve been through a few 401(k) audits, you know the routine. But for Kyle Mishler, Director of Operations at Civiltech Engineering, Inc., audit prep isn’t just a once-a-year task—it’s part of how she stays organized year-round. We sat down with Kyle (a long-time...

Is your 401(k) plan “large” or “small”? —for audit purposes, that is.

by JoAnn Cassell | Jun 15, 2024 | 401k Compliance, 401k Plan Audit, Audit Procedures, Preparing for a 401(k) audit, Regulations & Policies

Here’s how to determine the number of qualifying participants for your 401(k) audit.   The total number of participants with balances in your retirement plan drives how the IRS Code and the Department of Labor see your plan. For audit purposes, this definition...

How to streamline your 401(k) plan audit

by JoAnn Cassell | May 15, 2024 | 401k Audit Time, 401k Plan Audit, 401k Plan Mistakes, Audit Deadlines, Audit Procedures, Preparing for a 401(k) audit

As a plan sponsor of a 401(k) plan that requires an annual audit, you’ve probably wondered in frustration, “Why does it take so long?” Here’s how to streamline your 401(k) plan audit.  Spoiler alert: audits can be time-consuming… but they don’t have to be! Here are...

Hiring a 401(k) plan auditing firm? Ask these two questions first.

by JoAnn Cassell | Apr 15, 2024 | 401k Audit Firm, 401k Audit Oversight, Auditor, How to choose an auditor, Preparing for a 401(k) audit

Hiring a 401(k) plan auditing firm is an important decision. Here’s how to ensure that you choose the right auditor for your next benefit plan audit. Did you know that auditors get audited too? I know… Why should I care? Because: The Department of Labor’s findings can...